[12/20/06 - 05:48 PM]Hallmark Channel Launches on Comcast Cable Reaching Additional Viewers in New EnglandThe network has expanded its reach throughout New England, including Boston, the state capital.

Hallmark Channel announced that the family-friendly network has expanded its reach throughout New England, including Boston, the state capital. Comcast customers have the opportunity to enjoy the network�s original movies, such as the recent highest-ever-rated telecast, �The Christmas Card,� and new Mystery Movies in January. Hallmark Channel also airs popular off-net series including �M*A*S*H,� �Little House on the Prairie� and �Walker, Texas Ranger.�

This launch caps a very successful year of subscriber growth for Hallmark Channel with an increase of 4 million homes since December 2005 bringing its current national audience to 75 million subscribers. Most recently, Hallmark Channel launched in Comcast�s Sacramento market on October 31st adding 224,000 subscribers.

Janice Arouh, Senior Vice President, Network Distribution & Service, Hallmark Channels, stated, �I couldn�t be happier with our successful growth this year. We continue to be one of the fastest-growing channels among major networks. Hallmark Channel is a poster child for family-friendly entertainment and fills an unmet need for audiences who look to us to provide emotionally engaging and refreshing programming choices. Our programming is resonating with viewers who are watching in record numbers, ranking us fifth in prime time ratings in November. Since we are currently at 75 millions subscribers, that rating would be even higher if we were fully distributed. We also offer something special to our distributors by delivering a wide
and varied audience, many of whom are boomers with buying power that is attractive to affiliates in their goal to drive their new product offerings and LAS revenue. We are absolutely delighted that the channel will now be available to Comcast�s subscribers throughout New England.�

Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming to a national audience of 75 million subscribers. The top tier program service is distributed through more than 5,300 cable systems and communities as well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Hallmark Channel consistently ranks among the top 10 ad-supported cable networks in Prime Time and Total Day household ratings and is the nation�s leading network in providing family-friendly programming. Crown Media also operates a second 24-hour linear channel, Hallmark Movie Channel.